Amit Mishra should have played in New Zealand, says former pacer Karsan Ghavri

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who has virtually been a passenger with the Indian touring team without getting into the playing eleven, should have been tried out by the team management during the New Zealand series to show his mettle, said former India pacer Karsan Ghavri in Mumbai on Tuesday. (Match report | Scorecard | Day 5 pics)


"I think other spinners should be given a chance. Unfortunately on such fast wickets (like in New Zealand), the spinners are not getting a chance to show their talent. I personally feel Amit Mishra should have been given a chance. Even (Ravichandran) Ashwin hasn't done really well in New Zealand (in ODIs)," Ghavri said. (India look for rare positives after horrid tour to New Zealand)

"It is a matter of how they plan it out. Strategically, they are going somewhere wrong," added the 62-year-old Saurashtra-born former left-arm bowler who was the first pacer from the country to reach 100 wickets in Test cricket. (Drawn Wellington Test helps India maintain 2nd Test team rank)

On the Indian pace attack's display in the second Test at Wellington where New Zealand made 680 for 8 declared in the second innings, Ghavri said the bowlers should have pitched the ball up rather than use the short stuff.

"It all depends on which area to bowl in. How the New Zealanders are bowling? They pitch it up because if you dig it in, if you try to bowl short, it is not going to really help. The line and length and the accuracy is very much required, which unfortunately our bowlers are missing."

Queried about India losing their fourth successive series overseas, Ghavri blamed the featherbed wickets provided for in domestic cricket.

"If the pitches are not made fast at the under 16, 19 and Ranji levels, we will be a little exposed to bouncy and fast wickets when we go abroad and play series against Australia, West Indies, England and South Africa," he said.

India have lost successive overseas Test rubbers in England (0-4), Australia (0-4), South Africa (0-1) and New Zealand (0-1) while doing very well at home vanquishing New Zealand, Australia and the West Indies with handsome margins while losing 1-2 to England.

Asked whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men could be termed lions at home and lambs abroad due to this lop-sided record, Ghavri wished the trend changed in the near future.

"It is unfortunate that we lost a few series (overseas)- one in England, one in Australia, one in South Africa and again in New Zealand). So that is not great news and I hope in time to come Indian team does well."

In this respect he pointed out that the young batsmen in the team, barring Virat Kohli, are struggling for consistency.

"Youngsters are all trying. They are all very classy players. The bottom line is that they have to be consistent. Consistency like the way Virat Kohli has ... that kind of consistency is required at the international level.

"Ganguly, Laxman, Sachin, Rahul Dravid - they were very consistent not only in India, but also abroad. They could score runs all over the place. Unless they (young batsmen) are consistent, it is difficult to fill into the shoes of these four names."